Region expected to gain jobs through 2015 - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(02/21/13) - A recent University of Michigan report shows the region is expected to gain more than 76,000 jobs through 2015.

The Economic Growth Alliance, a partnership of seven counties - all north of Detroit - including Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee, talked about those findings. Economists say growth might be slow, but it's still moving in the right direction.

Dozens of business and civic leaders joined University of Michigan economic forecasters at the Lapeer County Club. They're part of the Economic Growth Alliance.

The experts say the region will add more than 17,000 jobs this year, even more next year and by 2015, 31,000 jobs. They say the region has improved its competitive position.

Another prediction - unemployment should continue to fall. In a couple years, it should be down to 7.3.

Service-providing industries will account for three quarters of the job gains this year and over the next two years. The goods-producing sector will make up the rest.

As for Genesee County, progress is slower than the rest of the surrounding counties, but improvements are expected.

"Genesee is going to be growing a little more slowly than the others, it got hit terribly hard during recession. We think by the end of 2015, Genesee will have recovered 20 to 21 percent of the jobs that it lost during the recession. So good news, forward progress, but still a long way to go," said Dr. George Fulton, of the University of Michigan.